[Investigation into the effect of citric and phosphoric acids on planed root surfaces using S.E.M]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of citric and phosphoric acid conditioning the diseased root surface on periodontally extracted teeth. Citric acid pH1 and 50 per cent phosphoric acid were topically applied to thoroughly scaled and planed root surfaces for one to three minutes. The specimens were then processed for scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M.) Root surfaces that had received acid treatment after root planing exhibited no smear layer and the overall surface appeared to have an undulating morphology. Whereas, examination of nonacid-treated specimens showed the presence of a smear layer. Furthermore, phosphoric acid treated surfaces demonstrated more irregularity with increasing application time.